Inspiration (and locations) required!

[glsammy]

Welcome to WAB, I can't help you re where you live, but certainly don't worry at all about using the camera/tripod in a hide, much larger ones than yours will have been there!
I don't use a tripod with the Bigma, I use a manfrotto mono-pod with the quick release head. It's just a personal preference.
Don't forget to use the strap that comes with the Bigma rather than the Canon one, it balances the Bigma better when your walking, plus you can hold the tripod mount to take the weight off your neck. The Bigma takes a bit of getting used to, but I'm sure you'll grow to love it.

[Barbara]

Originally Posted by glsammy

Welcome to WAB, I can't help you re where you live, but certainly don't worry at all about using the camera/tripod in a hide, much larger ones than yours will have been there!
I don't use a tripod with the Bigma, I use a manfrotto mono-pod with the quick release head. It's just a personal preference.
Don't forget to use the strap that comes with the Bigma rather than the Canon one, it balances the Bigma better when your walking, plus you can hold the tripod mount to take the weight off your neck. The Bigma takes a bit of getting used to, but I'm sure you'll grow to love it.

I use a tripod with the bigma but in a hide I always use a hide clamp, before I got the hide clamp I used to use a bean bag . And yes DS please don't forget to use the Bigma strap, I was walking around for ages without out it, it was still in the box when Graham asked whether I using it. If he hadn't mentioned it, it would probably have been only a matter of time before my camera strap gave way due to the weight of the lens. Thanks Graham for saving my camera and my lens only for you, it would have still been in the box

[desperately seeking]

Heh,

Thanks for the strap advice people; when I opened the box and saw the strap I assumed it was meant to be attached to the lens case rather than the camera - I guess I need to take a closer look!

Anyway, if I can, I'm going to try to get to the Wetlands Centre tomorrow afternoon - it's only a short train/tube and bus ride there

If I get any pics I'll show them off!

DS

[Barbara]

Originally Posted by desperately seeking

Heh,

Thanks for the strap advice people; when I opened the box and saw the strap I assumed it was meant to be attached to the lens case rather than the camera - I guess I need to take a closer look!

Anyway, if I can, I'm going to try to get to the Wetlands Centre tomorrow afternoon - it's only a short train/tube and bus ride there

If I get any pics I'll show them off!

DS

There you go Graham, you have saved two cameras and two Bigmas and in return got the backside of a goldcrest

PS
DS the Bigma strap attaches to the tripod mount on the Bigmas lens (well that's where I put mine) hope I'm right
I also tend to use the camera strap as well

Have a great day tomorrow

[John]

Hi DS

There is a wealth of sites in that area but possibly not on your doorstep. Here is a London sites list. Birding in London - Birding sites in the London area

One good new site is the RSPB Rainham Marshes. Rainham Marshes - The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds

The Barnes Centre is also well worth a visit. Welcome to the WWT official website

A bit further north near Enfield you have Lea Valley Country Park. Lee Valley Park : River Lee Country Park

The North Kent Coast host some of the best wildlife sites in Britain. Untitled Document

Sites in Surrey. Surrey Wildlife Trust - Home page

Sites in Sussex. Sussex Wildlife Trust nature reserves

There is enough sites there to keep you occupied for quite a while.

Hope that helps.

John

[Boddie]

I thought John may well come up with the goods

[cherrybee]

Hi DS and a very warm welcome to WAB

[glsammy]

Originally Posted by Barbara

There you go Graham, you have saved two cameras and two Bigmas and in return got the backside of a goldcrest

PS
DS the Bigma strap attaches to the tripod mount on the Bigmas lens (well that's where I put mine) hope I'm right
I also tend to use the camera strap as well

Have a great day tomorrow

Your right barbara, that's exactly where it goes.

[Barbara]

Originally Posted by glsammy

Your right barbara, that's exactly where it goes.

Phew! thank goodness for that

[Geoff Simpson]

Presumably the raptors in the Cairngorms are captive - if wild let me know how you get on and if you acn ID the dots in the distance.